STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Roche lung cancer drug, a Bristol CAR-T trial death, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Roche lung cancer drug, a Bristol CAR-T trial death, and more Most recently approved cancer drugs in Europe do not offer high clinical benefit, analysis finds Manage alerts for this article Save this story for later Share this article By Ed SilvermanOct. 26, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating because that oh-too-familiar routine of meetings, deadlines, and the like has returned with a vengeance. But what can you do?

The world, such as it is, continues to rotate. To nudge it in a better direction, we are brewing another cup of stimulation. Our choice today is butter pecan with a dash of raw honey.

Feel free to join us. Remember, no prescription is required. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits to help you along.

Best of luck accomplishing your goals today, and of course, do keep in touch. … Bristol Myers Squibb reported that one patient died after receiving its investigational CAR-T therapy in an early autoimmune trial, adding to safety concerns about a growing field of research, STAT notes. In a Phase 1 trial that tested the therapy in multiple sclerosis, the patient experienced motor symptoms that did not resolve with standard autoimmune treatments.

They were then given a potent immunosuppressant, but developed septic pneumonia and died, Bristol said in a press release. In a subsequent statement, Bristol said this patient was treated for a series of other complications prior to receiving the CAR-T therapy, “confounding our ability to determine the root cause of the issue.”Advertisement A Roche drug billed as a potential blockbuster helped patients with a form of lung cancer that had spread live almost six months longer than two competitive medicines, Bloomberg News says. The experimental treatment, called divarasib, fared better than similar drugs from Amgen and Bristol Myers Squibb in a late-stage study.

The drug was given to patients with non-small cell lung cancer that had spread, in part because of a genetic mutation, after other treatments, including chemotherapy. The findings could help divarasib become the treatment of choice for this type of lung cancer, in which a mutation called KRAS G12C drives the tumor cell growth. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account?

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Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In pharmalittle, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation.

He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot October 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Most cancer drugs approved by European regulators lack a high clinical benefit, analysis finds Pharmalot October 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Advertisement Pharmalot October 23, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a cancer vaccine, an experimental pancreatic cancer drug, and more Pharmalot October 22, 2026 STAT Plus: Gilead to pay $45 million to settle kickback charges filed by Texas attorney general Pharmalot October 22, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a U.S. rule on Chinese deals, Belgium refusing Mounjaro coverage, and more Subscriber Picks